Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, can allow a student to undertake off-campus training that is an integral part of an established curriculum.

Clarifying this further, CPT can be defined as an alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship/practicum arrangement offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

CPT ‘training’ must be in the form of a temporary internship and be based on either of the following criteria:

The training is a requirement for a particular course that is required by your curriculum
Or the training is required of a doctoral student to obtain needed data for PhD dissertation research.

Attend a CPT Workshop

All CPT workshops dates can be found on our CPT Workshop Page.

How to Apply / Letter Requirements

Academic Curricular Practical Training
- Who uses this application –
  - Any student who will obtain academic credit for their internship for a course that is REQUIRED by your curriculum
  - and all PhD students requesting internships who meet the criteria
- How to apply – Login to the ISSO Portal, open menu “F-1 Student Services”, and click app “Academic Curricular Practical Training CPT.”

Job offer letter requirements

The sample CPT job offer template (MS Word) may be used as a guide.

Written on company letterhead
Contain prospective CPT employer’s name
Physical location/address of proposed internship (no P.O. Boxes)
Start date of employment (view the important dates below)
End date of employment (view the important dates below)
Number of work hours per week

When to Apply/Semester Dates

The processing time for a CPT application is 10 business days. Students must allow at least 10 business days for processing time prior to the start of any internship.

Deadlines

	Summer 2026	Fall 2026	Spring 2027
Date staff begin reviewing applications	Mar 13	June 12	TBD
Apply by this date to work on the FIRST day of the semester *Applications submitted after this date will still be accepted, but the CPT will begin after the start date of the semester.	Apr 24	July 24 *Students submitting applications between July 25 – Aug 10 should request a start date no earlier than Aug 24	TBD
Semester CPT dates Semester Graduates *Students who will remain enrolled at the same degree the following semester	May 11 – Aug 5* May 11 – Aug 14**	Aug 17 – Dec 11* Aug 17 – Jan 8, 2027**	Jan 11 May 7

Detailed CPT Eligibility Requirements

Students interested in CPT must:

have been enrolled fulltime, or with an approved immigration reduced course load, in your current program of study for the past 2 consecutive semesters (excluding summer) in an immigration status that permits a full course of study (i.e. not H-1 or OPT status)
- CPT after OPT policy – We require that students finishing OPT must complete 1 semester at their new academic level before participating in CPT if participating in OPT created a semester or more ‘gap’ in enrollment.
hold valid F1 status at the time of application
be in good academic standing
document that the internship is a required component of their curriculum, OR how the internship is a required component for a Ph.D. student to complete dissertation research. Students participating in CPT for course credit must include proof of enrollment in the internship course in their application.

*Regulations allow for DSO (university F-1 immigration advisor) discretion to approve or deny CPT applications based on student’s academic progress, degree completion, and other considerations.

Fulltime Enrollment Requirement

CPT authorization is not a sufficient reason to drop below the fulltime study requirement for F1 students, nor delay graduation or interfere with normal academic progress. Therefore, CPT employment authorization is restricted to part-time (20 hrs/week) during fall/spring semesters with exceptions limited to those listed below. Online course enrollment is limited to 3 credit hours per semester and is not an option for students who have one course remaining in their degree program.

Fulltime Employment Requirements

Fulltime CPT employment may be authorized only under the following circumstances:

Summer break
Fall/spring semesters ONLY for:
- Master’s students who are enrolled in only ONE class, which should be their final class (in their final term), and that class is REQUIRED in their curriculum and it has a fulltime work requirement.
- Doctoral students in dissertation status who have successfully completed all coursework requirements, defended dissertation proposal, and require an internship to further their research toward dissertation defense.

CPT Location Requirements

All in-person CPT assignments for fall/spring semesters must be located within a 1.5 hour driving distance from the University : 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223 while students are enrolled in coursework. Summer CPT is not restricted by location.

Remote assignments, where a student may perform work while living in Charlotte, are possible as long as documentation from the employer can be provided to support how the work will be supervised (which technology will be used) and how often.

CPT+ On Campus Employment During Fall & Spring

The ISSO limits students to participating in up to 20 hours total of paid employment per week (between CPT and on-campus employment combined) during the fall and spring semesters.

NOTE: Ph.D. students whose CPT is required for their dissertation and who have completed all required coursework may be exempt from the fall/spring 20 hour/week combined CPT + on-campus employment limit. Additional permission may be required through the Graduate School for students receiving graduate funding.